Consumer product merchandising racking system

ABSTRACT

A system includes a rear frame assembly having a plurality of rear mount assemblies configured to mount the rear frame assembly to a rack. A first foot extends from a first end of the rear frame at a base of the rear frame for supporting the rear frame in an upright position from a floor. A second foot extends from a second end of the rear frame opposite the first end, at the base of the rear frame for supporting the rear frame in an upright position. A shelf assembly includes a plurality of shelves mounted to the rear frame assembly. Each shelf in the plurality of shelves has a respective back connection mounted to the rear frame assembly and a front connection configured to be mounted to the rack.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/924,398, filed Oct. 22, 2020. The entire contents of this application are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to merchandising systems, and more particularly to racking systems for displaying merchandise in retail settings.

2. Description of Related Art

Traditional merchandizing of products in a retail setting often involves shelving systems that allow consumers to browse the products, e.g. in an aisle of a retailer, and remove products from the shelving systems for purchase. Some traditional shelfing units are permanent fixtures such as a gondola or rack with smaller shelves held by the gondola or rack.

The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved systems and methods for merchandising and the like. This disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

A system includes a rear frame assembly having a plurality of rear mount assemblies configured to mount the rear frame assembly to a rack. A foot extends from a base of the rear frame assembly for supporting the rear frame assembly in an upright position from a floor. At least one shelf is mounted to the rear frame assembly.

The rack can be included, wherein the rear mount assemblies mount the rear frame assembly to the rack. The rack can include a first bay and a second bay, wherein the rear frame assembly is a first rear frame assembly and is mounted in the first bay, and further comprising a second rear frame assembly with a rear mount assembly mounting the second rear frame assembly in the second bay. The second rear frame assembly can be mounted to the rack, wherein a vertical beam of the first rear frame assembly is mounted to the rack proximate to where a vertical beam of the second rear frame assembly is mounted to the rack to form an interior column between two rear columns of the rack. The second rear frame assembly can include at least one shelf mounted thereto, wherein each shelf has a corner notch accommodating the interior column. Each shelf can also have a corner notch accommodating a respective outer vertical column of one of the first or second rear support frame assemblies.

Each shelf can have a respective back connection mounted to the rear frame assembly and a front end opposite the back connection that is cantilevered from the back connection without being mounted to the rack. The shelf can be mounted directly to the rear frame assembly while not being mounted directly to a front vertical column of the rack opposite the rear frame assembly. The shelf assembly can include between one and six shelves, inclusive. It is also contemplated that the shelf assembly can include four shelves evenly spaced apart by a constant vertical span. A lowest one of the four shelves can be spaced above the first foot to provide a lower bay, wherein the lower bay has a height taller than the constant vertical span by which he shelves are evenly spaced apart. A floor skid can be positioned in the lower bay under the lowest one of the shelves. The floor skid can include an overhanging lateral edge adjacent the first foot that accommodates the first foot. Each of the shelves can be angled downward in a direction proceeding from the rear frame assembly toward where the shelves are mounted to the rack for gravity feeding product toward consumers. Each of the shelves can include a roller surface to facilitate gravity feeding the product toward the consumers. The shelves can be mounted to the rear frame assembly, wherein each shelf in the plurality of shelves has a respective back connection directly mounting the shelf to the rear frame assembly, and a front connection directly mounting the shelf to the rack.

At least one respective front fence can mount each respective one of the at least one shelf of the first rear frame assembly to a respective one of the at least one shelf of the second rear frame assembly. The at least one respective front fence can be mounted to the respective shelves on a front shelf edge opposite the first and second rear frame assemblies. The front fence can include a main strip and a pair of polymer strips, one polymer strip for each respective shelf, wherein the polymer strips are sandwiched between their respective shelves and the main strip. It is also contemplated that the front fence can include a main strip directly mounted to the respective shelves and a wire hoop structure attached to the main strip. The wire hoop structure can stand proud from the main strip.

A floor skid includes a skid body defining tapered lateral edges parallel to a pair of grooves. The tapered lateral edges define a lower footprint on a common face with the pair of grooves that is smaller than an upper load surface opposite the footprint. The pair of grooves are configured to accommodate tines of a forklift or hand truck. The skid body can include a frame of tubing, and a skin surrounding the frame to enclose an interior space.

A method includes mounting a rear frame assembly to a rack, and mounting a shelf assembly to the rear frame assembly. The rear frame assembly can be a first rear frame assembly and the method can include mounting a second rear mounting frame to the existing rack next to the first rear frame assembly. The method can include mounting a respective shelf assembly to each of the rear frame assemblies and to the existing rack. It is also contemplated that the method can include assembling a respective floor skid below each shelf assembly.

The method can include mounting a front fence to two adjacent shelves, wherein one of the adjacent shelves is part of the first shelf assembly and another one of the adjacent shelves is part of the second shelf assembly. The front fence can include a main strip and the method can include mounting a wire hoop structure to the front fence, standing proud from the main strip. Mounting the wire hoop structure to the front fence can include welding the wire hoop structure to the main strip. The method can include bending the wire hoop in a direction away from the shelf assemblies, which bending can be performed after assembly of the font fence to the shelves. Mounting the front fence to the shelves can include using fasteners to join the front fence to the shelves.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the rack ready to receive installation of the rear frame assemblies;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1, showing the rear frame assemblies mounted in the rack;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1, showing the floor skids in place beneath the shelves;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one of the floor skids of FIG. 3, showing the frame of tubing; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the system of FIG. 1, showing front fences on the shelves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of systems in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in FIGS. 2-4, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used to provide retail display of product, making product accessible to consumers in the retail setting by gravity fed means wherein there is increased capacity for holding more product than in traditional systems.

The system 100 includes a rear frame assembly 102 having a plurality of rear mount assemblies 104 and associated fasteners 106 configured to mount the rear frame assembly 102 to a rack 108, e.g. an existing rack fixture. A first foot 110 extends from a first end 112 of the rear frame 102 at a base 114 of the rear frame 102 for supporting the rear frame 102 in an upright position from a floor. A second foot 116 extends from a second end 118 of the rear frame 102 opposite the first end 112, at the base 114 of the rear frame 102 for supporting the rear frame 102 in an upright position. A shelf assembly 120 includes a plurality of shelves 122 mounted to the rear frame assembly 102. Each shelf 122 in the plurality of shelves 122 has a respective back connection 124 where the shelf 122 is mounted directly to the rear frame assembly 102. As shown in FIG. 2, an opposite, front end 126 of the shelf is cantilevered from the back connection 124, so the front ends 126 of the shelves to not have to be mounted directly to the rack 108, e.g., the front ends 126 do not have to be directly affixed to the adjacent vertical columns 148 of the rack 108.

With reference now to FIG. 2, the rack 108 can be included, wherein two rear mount assemblies 104 and fasteners 106 (shown in FIG. 1), mount the rear frame assembly 102 to the rack 108. The rack can, for example, be a permanent fixture defining an aisle in a retail space, for example. The rack 108 can include a first bay 128 and a second bay 130. A second rear frame assembly 102, similar to that described above, can be mounted in the second bay 130 with a respective rear mount assembly 104. The second rear frame assembly 102 can be mounted to the rack 108, wherein a vertical beam 132 of the first rear frame 102 assembly is mounted to the rack 108 proximate to where a vertical beam 134 of the second rear frame assembly 102 is mounted to the rack 108 to form an interior column 136 between two rear columns 138 of the rack. Each of the rear frame assemblies 102 is mounted to a top cross beam 140 and to a bottom cross beam 142 (i.e. with the respective rear mount assemblies 104 and associated fasteners 106) to form the interior column 136. The remaining rear mount assemblies 104 mount the outer vertical beams 134, 136 of the respective rear frame assemblies 102 to the cross beams 140, 142 of the rack 108. The shelf assemblies 120 each include a plurality of shelves 122 in each of the first and second bays 128, 130. Each shelf 122 has a corner notch 144 (labeled in FIG. 1) accommodating the interior column 136. Each shelf 122 also has a corner notch 146 (labeled in FIG. 1) accommodating a respective outer vertical column or beam 134, 136 of the respective rear support frame assemblies 102. The shelf assemblies 120 can each be mounted directly to the respective rear frame assembly 102 and directly to a front vertical column 148 of the rack 108 opposite the rear frame assemblies 102. If the rack 108 previously contained hardware such as shelving units, that existing hardware can be removed in preparation for installing rear frame assemblies 102, as indicated schematically in FIG. 1 by the arrow 109.

With reference now to FIG. 3, each shelf assembly 120 is shown including four shelves 122 evenly spaced apart by a constant vertical span S, however, between one to six shelves can be accommodated on each rear frame assembly 102, and the spacing between the shelves does not necessarily have to be constant. A lowest one of the four shelves 122 is spaced above the first and second feet 110 and 116 (visible in FIG. 1) to provide a lower bay 150 in each of the bays 128, 130. The lower bay 150 has a height H taller than the constant vertical span S by which he shelves 126 are evenly spaced apart. A respective floor skid 152 can be positioned in each lower bay 150 under the lowest one of the four shelves 122, e.g. where less than five or six shelves 122 are assembled onto a given rear frame assembly 102. If five or six shelves 122 are assembled onto a given rear frame assembly 102, the floor skid 152 can be omitted thereunder. Each floor skid 152 can include an overhanging lateral edge 154 adjacent the respective foot 110, 116 (foot 116 is visible in FIG. 1) that accommodates the foot 110, 116. Each of the shelves 122 is angled downward in a direction D proceeding from the rear frame assembly 102 toward the connection 126 where the shelves 122 are mounted to the rack 108. The resultant shelf angle θ (e.g. 6.86°) of the direction D below the horizontal plane P, indicated schematically in FIG. 3, provides for gravity feeding product toward consumers. As consumers remove product from the front of the system 100, additional product stocked in shelves 122 is gravity fed to the front of the system 100. Each of the shelves includes a smooth surface 156 and/or a roller surface made of a plurality of parallel rollers (one roller 159 for which is indicated schematically in FIG. 3) to facilitate gravity feeding the product toward the consumers.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the floor skid 152 includes a skid body defining the tapered lateral edges 154 parallel to a pair of grooves 158. The tapered lateral edges 154 define a lower footprint 160 on a common face with the pair of grooves 158 that is smaller than an upper load surface 162 opposite the footprint 160. The pair of grooves 158 are configured to accommodate tines of a forklift or hand truck. The skid body can include a frame 164 of tubing, e.g. welded metal tubing, and a skin 166, e.g. of sheet metal, surrounding the frame 164 to enclose an interior space 166. The metal tubing can be configured for either manual or automated assembly into the frame 164 or other suitable structure. Product loaded onto floor skids 152 can be positioned into the first and second bays 128 and 130 as indicted in FIG. 3, using a hand truck, forklift, or the like. Consumers can remove product from the floor skids 152 in addition to removing product from the shelves 122. The skids 150 can each include a pricing channel 168 for posting a price or promotional information to consumers.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a respective front fence 170 can mount each respective shelf 122 of the first rear frame assembly 102 to a respective one shelves 122 of the second rear frame assembly 102. In FIG. 5, one of the front fences 170 is shown exploded away from the system 100, and three of the front fences 170 are shown mounted to their respective shelves 122. Each front fence 170 is mounted to the respective shelves 122 on a front shelf edge 172 opposite the first and second rear frame assemblies 102. Pem studs 174 can be used, mounted in bores in each front fence 170, which are threaded on the backsides relative to the view in FIG. 5 to mount the front fences 170 to the respective shelves 122, e.g. by threading a nut onto each pem stud 174 after passing the pin studs 174 through respective bores in the shelves 122. The front fence can include a main strip 176 and a pair of polymer strips 182, one polymer strip 182 for each respective shelf 122, wherein the polymer strips 182 are sandwiched between their respective shelves 122 and the main strip 182. The polymer strips 182 can be made of polycarbonate. It is also contemplated that in lieu of the strips 182, a wire hoop structure 178 can be attached to the main strip 176. Each wire hoop structure 178 stands proud from its respective main strip 176.

Mounting the wire hoop structures 178 to the front fences 170 can include welding the wire hoop structure 178 to the respective main strip 176. After assembly of a hoop structure 178 to its respective main strip 176, and after assembly of the main strip 176 to its respective shelves 122, the wire hoop structure 178 can be bend in a direction away from the shelf assemblies 120, as indicated by the curved arrow in FIG. 5. This bending can leave a bend angle α of 4° from vertical in the hoop structure 178 as indicated in FIG. 5. The front fences 170 can help prevent bowing of the shelves 122 when loaded with product.

The shelves 122 can be mounted to their respective rear frame assembly 102, wherein each shelf 122 in the plurality of shelves has a respective back connection directly mounting the shelf 122 to the rear frame assembly 102, i.e., the shelves 122 are not directly connected to the rack 108 in the back. In the front, a front connection in the form of the front supports 180 can directly mount each shelf to the rack 108, namely to a respective front vertical column 148 of the rack 108.

The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for gravity fed retail display of product. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a rack includes a first bay and a second bay, a first rear frame assembly and a second rear frame assembly each including: a plurality of rear mount assemblies configured to mount the rear frame assembly to a rack; a foot extending from a base of the rear frame assembly for supporting the rear frame assembly in an upright position from a floor, wherein the first rear frame assembly is mounted in the first bay and the second rear frame assembly is mounted in the second bay; wherein the first rear fame assembly includes at least one shelf mounted to the rear first frame assembly, wherein the second rear frame assembly includes at least one shelf mounted to the second rear frame assembly; and at least one respective front fence mounting each respective one of the at least one shelf of the first rear frame assembly to a respective one of the at least one shelf of the second rear frame assembly, wherein the at least one respective front fence is mounted to the respective shelves on a front shelf edge opposite the first and second rear frame assemblies.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein a vertical beam of the first rear frame assembly is mounted to the rack proximate to where a vertical beam of the second rear frame assembly is mounted to the rack to form an interior column between two rear columns of the rack.
 3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein each shelf has a corner notch accommodating the interior column.
 4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein each shelf also has a corner notch accommodating a respective outer vertical column of one of the first or second rear support frame assemblies.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each shelf is mounted directly to the rear frame assembly and is not directly mounted to a front vertical column of the rack opposite the rear frame assembly.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least on shelf of each of the first rear frame assembly and second rear frame assembly is part of a shelf assembly that includes between one and six shelves, inclusive.
 7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the shelf assembly includes four shelves evenly spaced apart by a constant vertical span.
 8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein a lowest one of the four shelves is spaced above the first foot to provide a lower bay, wherein the lower bay has a height taller than the constant vertical span by which the shelves are evenly spaced apart.
 9. The system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a floor skid positioned in the lower bay under the lowest one of the shelves.
 10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the shelves includes a roller surface to facilitate gravity feeding the product toward the consumers.
 11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the front fence includes a main strip and a pair of polymer strips, one polymer strip for each respective shelf, wherein the polymer strips are sandwiched between their respective shelves and the main strip.
 12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the front fence includes a main strip directly mounted to the respective shelves and a wire hoop structure attached to the main strip, wherein the wire hoop structure stands proud from the main strip.
 13. A method comprising: mounting a first rear frame assembly to a rack; mounting a first shelf assembly to the first rear frame assembly; mounting a second rear frame assembly to the rack; mounting a second shelf assembly to the second rear frame assembly; and mounting a front fence to two adjacent shelves, wherein one of the adjacent shelves is part of the first shelf assembly and another one of the adjacent shelves is part of the second shelf assembly.
 14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising assembling a respective floor skid below each shelf assembly.
 15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the front fence includes a main strip and further comprising mounting a wire hoop structure to the front fence, standing proud from the main strip.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein mounting the wire hoop structure to the front fence includes welding the wire hoop structure to the main strip.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising bending the wire hoop in a direction away from the shelf assemblies.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein bending the wire hoop is performed after assembly of the font fence to the shelves.
 19. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein mounting the front fence to the shelves includes using fasteners to join the front fence to the shelves.
 20. A system comprising: a rack; a rear frame assembly mounted to the rack, the rear frame assembly including: a first foot extending from a first end of the rear frame at a base of the rear frame for supporting the rear frame in an upright position from a floor; and a second foot extending from a second end of the rear frame opposite the first end, at the base of the rear frame for supporting the rear frame in an upright position; and a shelf assembly including a plurality of shelves mounted to the rear frame assembly, wherein each shelf in the plurality of shelves has a respective back connection directly mounting the shelf to the rear frame assembly and a front connection directly mounting the shelf to the rack. 